Posted on April 6, 2021 at 3:33 pm
Last updated: April 6, 2021 at 4:34 p.m.
Written by Greg Sapp
Effingham County Board Health Committee members were briefed Tuesday on the status of COVID-19 vaccines in the county.
Karen Feldkamp of the County Health Department said 14,656 shots were fired and 5,698 people were completely vaccinated. This accounts for just over 16% of county residents. Feldkamp said 50% of those over 65 have been vaccinated.
There are two vaccine clinics scheduled this week. Wednesday’s clinic is full, but there are still openings for Thursday’s clinic. Learn more at www.effcohealth.org.
Feldkamp said “it’s a little discouraging,” but health officials are beginning to see positive COVID cases increase and currently 160 people in the county are in quarantine.
Health Department administrator Jeff Workman said his biggest concern is COVID variants, which Feldkamp said are “more contagious and easier to transmit.”
Feldkamp recalled that “we are not in the bridge phase, we are still in phase 4. Now is not the time to stop wearing masks and stop distancing yourself socially.”
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In a related note, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported a COVID-related death in Shelby County on Tuesday, that of a woman in her 60s.